Source: The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060608.wmuslim0608/BNStory/Front

On June 8, 2006 The Globe and Mail reported, "Muslim leaders called Thursday for a summit by the end of the month among all three levels of government and community leaders to address youth extremism.

'Muslim leaders from across Canada are coming forward today in order to extend a hand to all Canadians so we can face together the problems of radicalism,' said Karl Nickner, executive director for the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CAN).

Most of the Muslim terror suspects taken into custody in co-ordinated raids in the Greater Toronto Area last weekend were in their late teens and early 20s. Five of them were young offenders.

The coalition of Muslim and Arab groups said the summit would address youth radicalization, facilitate integrations of newcomers, and explore how to make the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police], CSIS [Canadian Security and Intelligence Service], other security forces more representative of the diversity in Canada.

'Let's remember that the victims of terrorism around the world and in Canada are equally Muslims and non-Muslims,' Mr. Nickner said. 'Terrorism, as many of you know, is antithetical to Islam. It is basically a perversion of its teachings. Terrorism is not a Muslim issue. Terrorism is a global issue.'

CAIR-CAN sent its request to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, and Toronto mayor David Miller yesterday.

A spokesman for Mr. Miller's office said Thursday the mayor was very supportive of the idea and would do everything to participate and co-operate with the effort."